5 Signs of AC Damage After a Hurricane

Hurricane season wreaks havoc on Florida homes — including our ever-important air conditioning systems. Sometimes signs of damage to your AC unit after a storm are apparent - like it's just not working. Other times, however, the signs of AC damage aren't as evident and, if not fixed quickly, can cause significant damage to your unit over time.

If you're wondering if you're in need of air conditioning repairs, here are five signs of AC damage to look for after a hurricane.

Signs You Need to Repair Your AC After A Storm

Your AC Isn’t Cooling Your Home Well

Is it warmer in your home than usual? Is the air coming out of the vents not as cold as it was before the hurricane? You could very well have a damaged or leaking refrigerant line in your outdoor AC compressor.

Problems with your refrigerant line can decrease the performance of your AC and can also skyrocket your utility bills. Not to mention, the refrigerant in the line is also harmful to the environment. Schedule an AC repair call as soon as possible. If the system ends up losing all of the fluid, it could also cause major damage too.

AC Is Making Weird Noises

If you hear unusual rattling or buzzing noises, debris blown around in the hurricane could have become lodged inside the outdoor AC unit. There could also be damage to internal components like the fan or compressor.

Having debris in your AC unit can be dangerous, so make sure to get a professional to check it out. If it ever starts screeching, shut the power down and get a service call right away. It could be a major pressure imbalance inside the compressor or even a severe coolant leak.

Flooded AC Unit

The most obvious sign of AC damage is flooding. If your HVAC system was subjected to floodwaters, it needs to get serviced by an AC technician. It is possible that the electrical components were damaged by the extended exposure.

It is also a good idea to get your ducts cleaned to ensure mold and bacteria didn’t grow inside your ducting system that circulates the air throughout your home.

Evidence of a Power Surge

Power surges are a common occurrence during hurricanes. Did lightning strike near your home? Did you lose any electronic products like a television, computer, or charging smartphone? A power surge can fry a capacitor, burn up fuses and wires, and cause compressor damage.

Even if your AC is not showing signs right away, it can get a severe break down later. If you think you have had a power surge, your system should be inspected. A check-up now could save you a lot of money in major repairs (or even replacement!) later.

Electrical Problems at the Breaker Box

Did a breaker get tripped during the storm? Does it keep flipping off even after you reset it? This could also be a sign of a power surge, and potentially even damage to your electrical system. These types of high voltage power surges can definitely cause damage to multiple components of your AC system.

Easy AC is Tampa's most trusted air conditioning service and repair company. We have the expertise and experience in servicing HVAC systems after storms for the last 13 years. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.